mug shot of Howard Carvel Smith from 2012, courtesy of the Howard County Police Department.

COLUMBIA, Md. (WUSA9) -- A man shot by police after brandishing a knife at the BJ's Wholesale store in Columbia remains in critical condition on Thursday, according to Howard County Police.

Police released a photo of 33-year-old Howard Carvel Smith of Columbia on Thursday. The photo is from an assault arrest in Maryland from Augst 2012. Police say Smith was wanted on an open warrant Wednesday for a probation violation that may have stemmed from last year's incident.

According to police, a call came in at about 11 a.m. Wednesday about a man with a knife in the automotive/tire section of the store in the 9000 block of Snowden River Parkway.

According to Howard County Police spokesperson Sherry Llewellyn, a man accused of shoplifting was confronted by store employees. The man reportedly pulled a knife, moving around the store until he made his way outside. The spokesperson says the man then tried to get on a bus. According to police, the man smashed the glass door of the bus, but was unable to get on board. Police say he then ran back to the store and into the tire
center, still brandishing the knife. There, he was confronted by a police officer, say police. During the confrontation, the officer shot the man.

Police say Smith was transported to Shock Trauma, where he is in critical condition.

According to police, officers recovered an "open folding knife and a large wood stick, similar to a broom stick, at the scene of the shooting in the tire center."

The officer involved in the shooting an 8-year veteran of the department. He has been placed on paid administrative leave. Police may release the officer's name as early as Friday morning.